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Fear, Crime, Community Organization, and Limitations on Daily Routines

NCJ Number
105862
Journal
Urban Affairs Quarterly Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1985) Pages: 400-408
Author(s)
B L Kail; P H Kleinman
Date Published
1985
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The effect of formal and informal community organizations on safety and crime prevention activities, as mediated by fear of crime, was investigated in 534 American and 200 British West Indian blacks and 69 whites in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Abstract
A substantial proportion of respondents restricted their activities. Fear of crime and victimization resulted in over a third of all respondents arranging their lives so they walk only on certain streets and never go out at night. Whites were most likely to take three or more precautionary measures (29 percent), followed by blacks (19 percent). British West Indian blacks were least likely to limit their activities (13 percent). There was a signification relationship between victimization and fear of crime, between victimization and behavorial restrictions, and between fear and behavioral restrictions. Contrary to the hypothesis, integration into the community by West Indians increased precautionary behaviors. 2 tables and 21 references.